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Studies have shown that music and music training provide a
wealth of educational benefits to children. Early exposure to
music has been proven to help develop areas of the brain
responsible for language and reasoning skills. Music education
also increases the spatial and temporal reasoning necessary for
advanced mathematics. Children who study music typically score
better on standardized testing as well.
Music education not only provides children with a terrific
healthy outlet for self-expression, it enhances creativity and
boosts self-esteem. There are a number of ways for parents to
help their child receive quality education in music, starting as
young as birth. The most important thing is to expose your child
to a variety of music, including several different genres, not
just classical or kid's music.
Sing songs to your infant each day. Fun, repetitive songs with
movements or motions are best and as your child gets older, you
can encourage her to join in. By the toddler years, your little
one can dance along with music. Continue to sing simple silly
songs with your toddler and dance together to a variety of
songs, both upbeat and slow. Toys, like the Baby Einstein
Learning Sounds Piano, will allow your toddler to create her own
beats and songs.
Preschool age children can begin to differentiate between tones
and pitches. Play games to pick which note is higher and which
is lower. Introduce your preschooler to the specific sounds made
by various instruments as well. Continue to listen to many
different types of music with your preschooler and discuss how
various pieces make you and our child feel.
Make musical instruments with your preschooler and play them
together. Shakers are easy to make out of ordinary household
items. Attach two paper plates together with a hole puncher and
yarn or cover the ends of a toilet paper tube with construction
paper and fill either with dry beans or rice. A coffee can and
lid can be used as a drum. Have fun and use your imagination to
create your own family band.
You may want to start formal music education with music lessons
at this age. Discuss how various instruments are played and
allow your child to choose the one he would like to learn. Visit
a symphony or orchestra performance to investigate the various
instruments. Piano lessons are typically best for this age
because your child will learn to read and play music without
having to remember difficult fingering techniques.
Continue your child's music education as she enters elementary
school. As your child gets older, she may begin to prefer a
certain genre of music, but keep exposing her to a variety of
music. Allow her to start learning an instrument by this age and
make practice a part of her daily routine. Provide your child
with encouragement and support in her musical endeavors.
By the middle school and high school years, encourage your child
to be a part of a band, symphony, or orchestra. Playing music as
a group provides even more developmental benefits than playing
alone and a teenager's involvement in a quality music program is
important for self-development.
Music, even without the educational benefits research has
proven, is a fun and relaxing pastime. Start at a very young age
to instill the love of music in your child and continue
throughout her childhood to provide an excellent musical
education that will drive her future success.
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